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Thursday 18 June 2026
Biosecurity strengthened through private vet training
Private livestock veterinarians across Victoria have benefited from recent animal disease investigation (ADI) courses led by Agriculture Victoria.
Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer Dr Jeff Cave said the courses were delivered in Ellinbank, Elmore, Rutherglen and Hamilton by Agriculture Victoria’s district veterinary officers and a pathologist from AgriBio, to classes of 12 veterinarians, generally local to each region.
More support for Look Over the Farm Gate events
An additional $400,000 is now available through the Look Over the Farm Gate program to support farmers in drought and bushfire recovery.
Delivered by the National Centre for Farmer Health, the program funds community-led events with grants of up to $5,000 each, bringing people together to support farmers and their families.
Director Climate, Resilience and Communities, Amanda Pagan, said more than 40,000 people have attended over 320 local events since June 2025.
Support is available for farmers in fire recovery
Farmers impacted by the January 2026 bushfires: you may be eligible for financial support for recovery.
- Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 to assist with clean-up and reinstating enterprises.
- Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Concessional Loans of up to $250,000 for those who have suffered major asset damage or loss of income.
Applications can be made at ruralfinance.com.au/grants
Guide helps farmers cut emissions and boost efficiency
Agriculture Victoria has released a new edition of Making cent$ of carbon and emissions on-farm, a practical booklet to help producers manage emissions while improving farm efficiency.
Agriculture Victoria farm emissions specialist Alison Kelly said the update focuses on fuel and energy efficiency, as well as providing practical carbon and emissions information that farmers can consider for their farm.
Boost for businesses impacted by Varroa mite
More support is now available to businesses and bee keepers who rely on bees for their income and pollinating their crops.
Agriculture Victoria has appointed James Rowe as a new Horticulture Sector Officer to support pollination dependent businesses affected by Varroa mite.
James brings strong experience to the role, having previously worked in the apiary sector supporting beekeepers with the transition to management of Varroa mite. He also has an extensive agricultural background having worked within the broadacre and horticulture sectors.
Keep accurate records when spraying by drone
Accurate spray records matter – this includes spraying with remotely piloted aircraft.
Accurate records help protect crops, manage spray risks and ensure you meet your legal obligations.
Records must be made within 48 hours of spraying and be kept for 2 years.
You must record:
- product name and application rate
- date and exact location of use
- what was treated
- wind speed and direction (if outdoors)
- name and contact details of who applied/supervised/ordered the job.
All drone operators, pilots and chemical users are responsible for record keeping.
Vet talk - winter worms in sheep
Worms and scours can be a significant problem in weaners and lambing ewes with the limited feed and cold stress of winter.
Winter conditions provide ideal conditions for the survival of worm larvae on pastures, and feed may also be short. Sheep that are nutritionally stressed and in light condition grazing short pastures are likely to be affected by worms and scouring.
Trees on farms utilisation program now open!
Applications are now open for the Trees on Farms Utilisation Program.
Eligible Victorian landowners can receive a free expert assessment of their timber plantations, including tailored management advice and potential market pathways.
Drought Hardship Loans
The Australian Government has introduced the RIC Drought Hardship Loan to support farm businesses experiencing severe and prolonged drought.
The loan provides up to $250,000 over 5 years, at the RIC’s concessional interest rate (currently 5.18%), with a 2-year repayment holiday, to help farmers manage essential operating costs and improve cash flow during extended dry conditions.
It is available to eligible farm businesses that have managed through at least 24 months of drought and expect further impacts ahead. The loan complements other drought support and can be accessed alongside state programs.
Australian Government drought support information can be found here: drought.gov.au
Wellbeing counsellors work hand in hand with experienced financial counsellors to ensure that your mental health receives as much attention as your bottom line, providing practical strategies and helping you to tailor them to your specific circumstances, across Gippsland.
Wellbeing counsellors can visit you at your property or talk over the phone to assist with:
✔ managing stress
✔ building resilience for tough times
✔ balancing work and life with practical tools
✔ getting support for big decisions and life changes
To speak to a Wellbeing Counsellor call 1300 045 747.
Find out more at: www.nexsolutions.org.au
For further drought support visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Webinar recording: pasture research update
Missed our recent Emissions in Agriculture Community of Practice meeting? You can now catch the full recording.
Hear from Agriculture Victoria researchers Kevin Smith and Dr Anna Thomson as they share insights from 2 exciting pasture projects:
MultiMix Project
Testing diverse mixes of grasses, legumes and herbs to build more climate-resilient pastures—boosting sheep productivity while reducing methane emissions and fertiliser reliance.
Resilient Forages
Exploring nutrient-dense, diverse forage systems to support productive, profitable dairy farms under climate and cost pressures.
Watch the recording: https://tinyurl.com/2prrbn9w Passcode: 170626
Be work ready - jobs on farms
When: Friday 19 June, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Where: Heyfield Community Resource Centre 5 George Street, Heyfield
Looking to start a rewarding career in agriculture? With strong industry connections, farm visits and support to make the first steps into employment, this course will make you better prepared to secure real job opportunities in your community.
This course runs over 5 sessions: Wednesday 17 June, Thursday 18 June, Friday 19 June. Cost is $20.
Perennial multi-species pasture demo
When: Tuesday 23 June, 10 am – 1:30 pm
Where: 450 Cardinia Road, Officer
Simon and Michelle Beard from ‘Meat me at the Gate’ will show their demonstration site where they are trialling 2 different practises to establish perennial multi-species pastures on their beef farm.
Jade Killoran is an independent multi-species cover crop consultant and researcher, working with Victorian farmers through her consultancy, Healthy Farming Systems. She helps farmers trial, adopt and manage multi-species crops on-farm.
Jade will talk about the role of multi-species pastures to:
- build soil resilience
- extend growing seasons
- provide opportunities to increase quality dry matter production in a beef breeding and fattening operation
All farmers are welcome.
Catch up with other farmers, see a great farm and have a yummy meal together.
Lunch is provided, so please RSVP by Sunday 21 June.
A feed and a yarn events
When: Wednesday 1 July, 6 pm
Where: Welshpool Hotel, 21/23 Main Street, Welshpool
When: Friday 3 July, 6 pm
Where: Korumburra Middle Hotel, 81 Commercial Street, Korumburra
When: Wednesday 8 July, 6 pm
Where: Bairnsdale RSL Club, 2 Forge Creek Road, Bairnsdale
When: Friday 10 July, 6 pm
Where: Orbost Club Hotel, 63 Nicholson Street, Orbost
Join us for a feed and a yarn, a chance to connect with fellow farmers and share experiences.
Explore practical ideas for on-farm challenges, whether it’s seasonal conditions, farm management, or simply a chat with people who understand.
Everyone is welcome! Numbers are limited so you must register to attend.
Time: Doors open 6 pm, Farmer panel 6:30 pm and meal 7 pm.
Meals will be provided. Drinks at bar prices.
Keep up to date with GippsDairy's events on their website.
Keep up to date with Gippsland Agricultural Group's events on their website.
Keep up to date with Food & Fibre Gippsland's events on their website.
Contacting Agriculture Victoria
Call 136 186 from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call (except for mobiles and public telephones).
If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, contact us through the National Relay Service at 133 677 or visit the National Relay Service.
All contact points can be found at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/about-us/contact-us
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